The Board of Laity’s WHY is to provide support and direction for the ministry of the Laity on the local, district, and conference levels. Our HOW is through building relationships and connections with local church leaders and clergy for equipping and empowering them for ministry.”

Members of the Board of Laity continue to work in our districts and churches to build those relationships and make connections with laity and clergy in order to provide support for ministry and making disciples for Jesus for the transformation of the world. Through district training sessions, communications and meetings with local lay leaders, lay servant academies, and a variety of other functions.

Who we are

• The purpose of the Board of Laity is to prepare and encourage all people in a life of Christian discipleship.
• We will work to provide support and direction for the ministry of the Laity on the Local, District and Conference levels and to promote the observation of Laity Sunday.
• Be a Connection between the Conference, District, and Local Church.
• Focus on Building Relationship with District and Local Church Leaders.
• Provide for the Training of Local Church Leaders, Local Church Lay Leaders, and Lay Members of the Annual Conference.
• Develop and Promote Stewardship of Time, Talent, and Possessions

Contact:

Conference Co-Leaders
Mark Manzi, Connie Augsburger, and Eugene Williams
Email: ConfLayLeader@umcnic.org

For District Lay Leaders visit the District Pages.

Laity Convocation 2023

Thinking Outside the Church: Making Community Ministry Happen
Keynote Speaker: David Teel, Director of Laity & Leadership at Discipleship Ministries
Opening worship and welcome from Bishop Dan Schwerin
Featuring stories of community ministry from Oregon UMC, Wesley UMC in Aurora, Berry UMC in Chicago, and First UMC in Franklin Park

Watch the Recording

Download the Program Booklet

Laity Convocation 2022

• Laity Session Part 1
• Laity Session Part 2
• Bishop Hopkins Greeting
• Kara Lassen Oliver - Associate Publisher with The Upper Room (Spiritual Formation)
• Rev. Dr. Regina Bridges Davis - Spiritual Clinical Counselor & Ordained UMC Deacon (Power of Ruach)
• George Groves, NIC UMM President (Click here for resources on small study groups highlighted in the presentation).
   

Local Church Outreach Ministries

• Greenstone UMC shares the story of the church's renovation project in the historic Chicago Pullman district.
• Disciples UMC in Mt. Morris shares more on its children's outreach ministry Lot 12.
• River Forest UMC leaders share a twist on traditional ministry and its partnership with Urban Village Church.
• Roselle UMC shares how its online study group NitWits got its name and formed.

Archived Resources:

• 2023 Number of Annual Conference Lay Members per District
• 2022 Laity Address
• 2021 Laity Session (July 15)
• 2021 Laity Convocation Recording: ►Part 1 and ►Part 2
• 2020 Laity Address
• ​​​Association of Annual Conference Lay Leaders Letter
• Bishop's Presentation at 2020 Laity Convocation
• 2020 Laity Convocation Materials
• 2019 Laity Address - YouTube @1:19:50
• Discipleship Ministries website and link to  “See All The People.”  
• Michael Jr. "Know your Why" Video
• 2017 Bishop's Laity Convocation Bible Study
• Become a Better Listener: Active Listening
• How to have a courageous conversation